Conjoint tendon
The interfoveolar ligament, seen from in front. (Inguinal aponeurotic falx labeled at lower left.)
Latin	falx inguinalis, tendo conjunctivus
Gray's	subject #118 414

The conjoint tendon (or inguinal falx) is a structure formed from the transversus abdominis insertion into the pecten pubis.

Contents 1 Anatomy 2 Clinical significance 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Anatomy

It is mainly formed by the lower part of the tendon of the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscle, and is inserted into the crest of the pubis and pectineal line immediately behind the subcutaneous inguinal ring, serving to protect what would otherwise be a weak point in the abdominal wall.

It forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal, along with the transversalis fascia.

[edit] Clinical significance

A direct inguinal hernia will protrude through Hesselbach's triangle, whose borders are the rectus abdominus (medially), inferior epigastric artery & vein (superolaterally), and the inguinal ligament (inferiorly). The hernia will lie medial to the spermatic cord.^[1]

[edit] See also

• interfoveolar ligament

[edit] References

1. ^ Clinical Anatomy by Ernest W. April. 3rd Edition. Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1997. Pages 326-327.

[edit] External links

• -764739507 at GPnotebook
• SUNY Labs 35:18-0103 - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Reflection of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle"
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7531
• Anatomy at MUN digest/abwall

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v • d • e List of muscles of torso (TA A04.3-5, GA 4.397) Back splenius (capitis, cervicis) · erector spinae (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis) · latissimus dorsi transversospinales: (semispinalis dorsi, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, multifidus, rotatores) · interspinales · intertransversarii Vertebral column: trapezius · latissimus dorsi · rhomboid (major, minor) · levator scapulae fascia: Thoracolumbar fascia Thorax intercostales (external, internal, innermost) · subcostales · transversus thoracis · levatores costarum · serratus posterior (inferior, superior) · diaphragm Thoracic cavity: pectoralis major · pectoralis minor · subclavius · serratus anterior fascia: Pectoral fascia · Clavipectoral fascia Abdominopelvic Abdomen/ wall Anterior/ lateral Abdominal external oblique · Transversus abdominis/Conjoint tendon · Rectus sheath (rectus abdominis, pyramidalis) · Arcuate line · Tendinous intersection Cremaster · Abdominal internal oblique Fascia/abdominal fascia: panniculus adiposus (Fascia of Camper) · stratum membranosum (Fascia of Scarpa) · Transversalis fascia (Interfoveolar ligament) Linea alba · Linea semilunaris · Inguinal triangle Inguinal canal (Deep inguinal ring, Superficial inguinal ring, Intercrural fibers, Crura of superficial inguinal ring) Inguinal ligament (Pectineal ligament, Lacunar ligament, Reflected ligament) Posterior quadratus lumborum · psoas major/psoas minor · iliacus  · iliopsoas fascia (Iliac fascia/Iliopectineal arch) Pelvis levator ani (iliococcygeus, pubococcygeus, puborectalis) · coccygeus fascia/pelvic fascia visceral (Rectovaginal fascia, Rectoprostatic fascia) · parietal (Obturator fascia/Tendinous arch, Piriformis fascia) floor/diaphragm: Superior fascia of pelvic diaphragm (Pubovesical ligament, Puboprostatic ligament) · Inferior fascia of pelvic diaphragm Anococcygeal body